Police said Branden Clark's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit when he caused a fatal crash on Saturday afternoon. He now faces vehicular homicide and child abuse charges.

On Saturday, his children were visibly shaken, and medics took his girlfriend to the hospital after the crash. Clark told police they were headed to the Manzano pool.

Officers said Clark's speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and they noticed an odor of alcohol. Police said he admitted to drinking two 16-ounce beers around 2:30 p.m. The crash happened at about 3:11 p.m. near Louisiana and Marquette.

Investigators said Clark rear-ended a car, and the impact sent it into oncoming traffic. The driver of that car, Debra Valencia, later died from her injuries at University of New Mexico Hospital.

"I feel sadness and bad for the people that are the victims of a DWI," said John Lopez who saw the aftermath of the crash.

Clark has never been convicted of DWI. In 2008, court records show he was arrested but found not guilty.

Police said the youngest of the children, a 1-year-old, was taken to the hospital with a concussion.